Drug & Alcohol Rehabs in Norfolk

UK addiction rates are increasing and Norfolk is no exception.

This is due to a prevalent access to drugs and alcohol, a culture that supports binge drinking, as well as other factors like employment and stress.

This higher rate of use also come with an increased risk of hospitalisation.

It is easy for habitual use to become addiction, which may then slip into dependency.

This problem is extremely relevant to modern health concerns, and rehabilitation practises have evolved to match this.

The Disease Model Of Addiction Explained

In general, an addiction is considered as a disorder or disease of the brain.

This is because continued use and/or abuse can cause changes in the brain’s structure and therefore functioning.

Individuals who are addicted to alcohol, for example, have been shown to have serious changes to neural pathways in the brain.

In turn, this affects the way that the brain thinks about addiction, making it hard to quit alone or without support from a trusted individual.

For this reason, addiction is considered as a disease of the brain, not as a moral failure as some individuals may believe.

Using The Dual Diagnosis Approach To Understand Addiction

To fully understand addiction, it is important to consider that it may be a symptom of an underlying mental health condition.

Common mental health problems experienced whilst struggling with addiction include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Eating disorders
• Schizophrenia
• Codependency
• Bipolar disorder
• Psychosis

This is known as the dual diagnosis approach as it brings light to both the mental and physical effects of an alcohol addiction, therefore bringing focus to both areas for treatment.

The best rehabilitation treatments, such as those offered through Rehab 4 Alcoholism, will focus on both the physical and mental effects of addiction, aiming to treat both through a comprehensive and holistic course of treatment.

You will also have to seriously consider any physical conditions present alongside or because of your addiction, including liver failure, heart disease, alcoholic hepatitis and cancer.

The Goal Of Rehabilitation

Through Rehab 4 Alcoholism, the main goal of rehabilitation is abstinence, or the complete maintained withdrawal from alcohol.

This is always the goal of the addiction treatment service providers that our team will suggest, as it has been proven to be the most successful, boasting benefits such as better quality of sleep, improved relationships, and reduced financial strains.

Abstinence is therefore a much more effective goal of rehabilitation when compared to other goals such as harm reduction and moderation management, both of which are focused on reducing the negative effects that an alcohol addiction may have.

Private Residential Rehab Compared To Council-Funded Treatments

Overall, there are two main forms of addiction treatments. These are private residential rehab centres and council-funded treatments.

These are outlined below, as well as the positives and drawbacks of each.

Council-Funded Rehabilitation

Referring to the local services available to everyone, such as local doctors’ surgeries or GPs, council-funded treatments are the most common type of rehabilitation experienced.

This is often the first place that individuals will go to seek rehabilitative treatment as it is local, convenient, and free-of-charge.

However, these ways of accessing treatment often have lengthy waiting lists, as well as an inability to guarantee the same specialist upon every visit.

In addition, council-funded treatments are not often able to offer residential treatments. Proven to be the most effective in treating addiction, the care provided via public services may not be helpful for the individual.

Private Residential Rehabilitation

Time and time again, residential rehabilitation has been shown to be the most effective and efficient option in treating alcohol addictions.

This is mainly due to the flexibility and tailored nature of the treatments offered, meaning that every individual will receive a custom addiction treatment programme, flexible to the engagement of the individual.

These centres are also staffed by experts in the field of addiction, meaning that the best of help is available 24/7 to those who need it.

The only drawback to residential rehab is the cost.

Though this is not a problem for every individual, it is important to keep in mind the high level of care, the staff to patient ratio, and the specialised environment in which an individual can recover in.

Organisations offering free addiction support

Below is a list of free organisations that offer advice and support in and around Norfolk:

1. C G L | Norfolk Alcohol and Drug Behaviour Change Service

Address: Adobe House, 5 Barton Way, Norwich, NR1 1DL

Telephone: 01603 514 096

Website: https://www.changegrowlive.org/alcohol-drug-behaviour-change-norfolk

2. The Matthew Project

Address: 70-80 Oak Street, Norwich, NR3 3AQ

Telephone: 01603 626 123

Website: https://www.matthewproject.org/

3. Turning Point | Bury St Edmunds Hub

Address: 2 Looms Ln, Bury Saint Edmunds IP33 1HE

Telephone: 01284 766 554

Website: http://wellbeing.turning-point.co.uk/suffolk/hubs/bury-st-edmunds-hub/

The NHS will be there to help you with reliable and up-to-date information, as well as advice on accessing a sober living house.

For general support, you can reach out to organisations like the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the National Association for the Children of Alcoholics, We Are With You, Turning Point and Change Grow Live.

To get free mental health support, consider contacting remote services such as Mind UK, Young Minds, Samaritans, Papyrus and Rethink Mental Illness.

Who Is Rehab Suitable For?

Residential rehabilitation is not suitable for every individual.

However, there are a number of characteristics or features to look out for in yourself or in others in order to assess suitability for rehabilitation.

In the most general sense, residential rehab is most suitable for those consuming 20 or more units of alcohol every day.

However, there are some further features to consider in addition:

• Co-occurring mental health issues such as anxiety and/or depression
• Past failures to abstain and avoid alcohol
• Known history of violent behaviour towards loved ones
• Addiction-induced disorders e.g., Delirium tremens, Wernicke’s encephalopathy, alcoholic seizures, liver disease or cardiovascular issues
• High score on the AUDIT (see later paragraph)

The Alternatives To Going To Residential Rehab

In the cases where residential rehabilitation is not suitable for an individual, there are several alternative options that an individual may be eligible for.

An individual may not be suitable for any of the reasons mentioned in the previous paragraph, as well as many other reasons such as personal preferences, finances, or location issues.

These individuals may be suitable for some of the following alternatives:

• 12-Step Groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Cocaine Anonymous, which offer both peer support and the opportunity to lean on a higher power when addictions seems overpowering.
• SMART Recovery (Self-Management and Recovery Training) consists of a combination of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and motivational tools to provide an alternative support structure.
• Home detoxes (suitable in some situations)
• Family drug support and specialised group meetings, such as Al-Anon Family Meetings and Alateen.

Many of the same principles experienced in these services are also followed through the training provided in residential centres.

The ASAM Criteria – Assessing The Level Of Rehabilitation Care Required

When entering a rehabilitation centre, or partaking in any addiction treatment programmes, it is important to understand the level of care that the individual will require.

This can be determined using the American Society of Addiction Medicine’s Patient Placement Criteria (ASAM Criteria) which was designed to help determine the forms of treatment and level of support required by each individual.

This criterion is rooted across 6 dimensions:

• History of and current substance usage
• Medical history and current physical health
• Mental health issues experienced
• Readiness and interest in recovery
• Risk of relapse
• Current living situation (place, people, and environment)

This is a lot of information to share, so please be prepared to talk about all elements of the addiction is question.

This is the basis of the initial assessment that Rehab 4 Alcoholism conducts, so please consider all of the above points before contacting us.

Determining The Level Of Alcohol Dependency- AUDIT

Even before an individual begins to consider rehabilitation, it may be useful to assess the extent of their alcohol addiction and the consequences that this may be having on their everyday life.

Luckily, there are many tools and questionnaires that individuals can use for this.

The most common, and most commonly used in the UK, is the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT).

This consists of 10 questions, also known as screening tools.

Across these questions, individuals are assessed on their alcohol intake, dependency, and the effects that this may be having on their lives.

Each question is scored from 1-4 (where 4 is the most common/severe).

From this, any individual who scores 13 or above is considered to have an alcohol dependency.

However, any score of 8 or above should also be monitored or tested further to assess their dependency.

These are just two of the many psychiatric assessments used at rehab to diagnose and measure substance use disorders, with other popular choices including the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria and the CAGE Questionnaire.

Using these tests, psychiatrists and addiction specialists can create a person-centred care plan tailored specifically for each individual. This produces a course of physical and psychiatric treatments designed to give addiction sufferers the best chance of achieving sobriety.

Using Interventions With An Alcohol Addiction

In some cases, with an alcohol addiction, it may be suitable to use an intervention.

This is where an interventionist moderates and directs a discussion between an individual struggling with addiction and those affected by it around them.

This may include friends, family, or colleagues.

The standard form of intervention includes the discussion of feelings and experiences relating to the individual’s addiction with the aim of encouraging each side to see the others’ point of view.

However, this can come across as very confrontational, meaning that new methods of discussion have been designed.

The Community Reinforcement Approach to Family Training (CRAFT) approach to interventions is far more invitational, encouraging each side to share their experiences, but also understand the reasons behind them.

This includes identifying triggers, patterns in behaviour, and creating a way to communicate effectively between both parties.

In either case, the aim of interventions is to encourage the individual to seek further rehabilitative care, being successful around 30% of the time with the standard intervention and 70% successful with the CRAFT approach.

How Much Does Residential Rehab Cost?

There is no set cost for drug and alcohol rehab in Norfolk.

This is because there are so many different options that an individual may choose for their personal recovery.

Most rehab service providers will provide a cost list upon request, so any interest in a provider should be registered as soon as possible to get the information required.

Alternatively, the rehabilitation options offered though Rehab 4 Alcoholism are all tried and tested, and a wealth of information around each centre can be provided upon request.

What Is Detoxification And Who Is It Suitable For?

Detoxification, or detox, is the process in which an individual withdraws from the substance they were addicted to.

Where suitable, this may be medically assisted to help combat the harmful withdrawal symptoms that may occur.

In the case of an alcohol detox, this is achieved through the administration of Chlordiazepoxide, a benzodiazepine better known as Librium.

Known as a medically-assisted detox, this type of assistance during detoxification can help reduce the risk of alcoholic seizures and other alcohol withdrawal symptoms, such as:

• Unconsciousness
• Delirium Tremens
• Hallucinations
• Paranoia
• High fever
• Extreme anxiety
• Confusion

Alcohol causes physical dependence, meaning that alcohol withdrawal syndrome can be dangerous in cases of a long addiction history.

In these cases, it is more likely that the individual will be recommended pharmacological intervention.

From here, individuals are then encouraged to complete further addiction treatments such as therapy.

How Long Does Rehabilitation Last?

There is no set duration for rehab.

This will depend on numerous factors surrounding the individual, such as usage frequency and their history of abuse.

Using a measure such as the ASAM Criteria will help determine the level of care, but there is no prediction tool for duration.

Every individual will experience rehab differently, and this includes the length of time they progress through the different rehabilitative stages.

However, below are listed some of the most common durations of rehab:

• 7 days – this is the minimum amount of time someone may spend in a rehab centre or dedicated detox clinic, as it refers only to the minimum duration of detoxification. After this, individuals will be encouraged to enter further treatments such as therapy or group activities.
• 28 days – this is the recommended amount of time that Rehab 4 Alcoholism suggests staying in a dedicated rehab centre or clinic. This is the duration of time that is trialled to get the most from the experience, as well as picking up on useful coping techniques and mechanisms during their time in residential rehab.

Rehabilitation For Cocaine Addiction In Norfolk

Aside from alcohol, there are many other substances that individuals may become addicted to.

One of the most common examples of this in the UK is cocaine.

This is a common recreational drug, often found at parties or clubs, and is consumed in the form of a white powder.

The most common effect experienced when consumed is a change in behaviour.

These behavioural changes are often what first alerts friends and family to underlying issues, as long-term usage is likely to worsen these effects, and possibly lead to a psychological crash.

Cocaine is not physically addictive, meaning that individuals will not die if they suddenly withdraw from the drug.

However, the longer lasting effects are far more likely to be psychological – impacting the mental health of the individual.

For this reason, it is often highly recommended to seek treatments such as therapy which will focus on recovering from these psychological effects after a fully supervised detox.

Rehabilitation For Heroin Addiction In Norfolk

Another highly addictive drug is heroin.

This is another Class A drug, one that is made from morphine.

When consumed, individuals experience extreme euphoric highs, contributing to the addictive nature of this drug.

With continued and heavy usage, individuals will seek more and more of the drug to satisfy their tolerance level, meaning that they risk reducing their mental functioning as a result of heroin’s effect on the brain.

In the worst cases, heroin abuse can also lead to physical health problems such as liver disease and heart problems.

Unlike cocaine, heroin is physically addictive, meaning that the initial withdrawal can be extremely dangerous.

For this reason, it is always recommended to have support, as well as considering methods such as tapering where an individual is slowly transitioned from heroin to a heroin-like substance.

Like cocaine, however, it is also recommended to seek psychological treatment after detoxification, focusing on the harmful mental health effects that long-term heroin abuse could have had.

Rehabilitation For Cannabis Addiction In Norfolk

Perhaps less commonly thought of, cannabis abuse also occurs at an extremely high rate in the UK.

In some cases, this drug is easier to obtain than class A drugs, making it extremely popular in at parties and other social events.

Cannabis affects the central nervous system (CNS) in the body, meaning that it has a wide range of physical and mental effects.

These vary depending on the individual, the amount of cannabis consumed and the type of cannabis they are consuming.

Not every individual will have the same experience of cannabis consumption.

Cannabis is not physically addictive, and the effects of cannabis can be flushed from the body very quickly.

Nevertheless, it is always recommended to go through each stage of rehabilitation fully and effectively.

These stages are as follows: detox, rehab, aftercare.

If an individual follows these steps, they are far more likely to make a long-lasting and successful recovery.

What Therapies Are Offered At Drug And Alcohol Rehab In Norfolk?

Therapy is a very important part of the rehab process and can help patients heal in every aspect.

Another benefit to private rehab is the combination of both traditional and holistic therapies available to all.

Therapy is a proven way to discover the root causes of addiction and mental health disorders.

Examples of the kinds of physical and talking therapies include:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
• Motivational Interviewing (MI) and other motivational therapies
• 12-Step Facilitation Therapy
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy
• Brief Interventions
• Contingency Management
• Family Therapy
• Group Therapy and Group Psychotherapy
• Individual Therapy
• Holistic therapy (Art Therapy, Music Therapy, Yoga, Meditation, Mindfulness, Equine Therapy, Drama Therapy, Acupuncture, etc.)

Creating A Relapse Prevention Plan

As a vital part of most treatment plans or programmes created for each individual, they are likely to engage in or take part in relapse prevention planning.

This is one of the most important parts of rehabilitative training, as it prepares the individual for life outside of a rehab centre or from their dedicated treatment provider.

By creating this plan, individuals are giving themselves the best possible chance of reducing the risk of relapse, becoming more independent in their recovery, and maintaining this recovery in the long term.

Whilst making the plan, individuals are encouraged to consider a range of factors such as:

• Their past history with substance abuse
• The commitment they are putting in
• The support they may require

This is never a process carried out alone, meaning that individuals will always be supported in making the best possible decisions for themselves and their recovery.

In general, individuals are encouraged to write down their plan or make a physical reminder that is easy to access and refer to in an emergency.

Getting The Help You Need Today

To learn more about the range of rehabilitation services available in Norfolk, contact us today. Every rehab that we work with in England and Wales is vetted by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

With our expert advisers and the huge range of resources at our fingertips, we’re able to point you in the best direction and give you the best possible chances for recovery.

Reach out today to take the first step in living a life free from addiction.

Rehab 4 Alcoholism offers addiction support across Norfolk including in Norwich, King’s Lynn, Great Yarmouth, Thetford, Aylsham, Acle, Holt, Fakenham, Cromer, North Walsham, Attleborough, Hunstanton, Burnham Market, Sheringham, Wells-next-the-Sea, Swaffham, Dereham, Wymondham, Diss, Blakeney, Downham Market, Costessey, Wroxham and many more.